Overallocation Factor
What Is Overallocation?
Section titled “What Is Overallocation?”The Overallocation Factor controls how DRSM distributes actuator travel when multiple motion axes are active simultaneously. On any actuator-based platform (hexapod, quad post, etc.), each actuator contributes to multiple axes at once — a single actuator might need to move up for heave, tilt for pitch, and shift for sway all at the same time. The actuator has a fixed physical stroke, and if all axes demand their full range simultaneously, the actuator would need more travel than it physically has.
The Overallocation Factor prevents this by scaling down motion proportionally when the combined demand exceeds a threshold.
How It Works
Section titled “How It Works”DRSM normalizes each axis command to a $-1$ to $+1$ range (where $\pm1$ represents the configured travel limit for that axis), then sums the absolute values across all active axes. If the total exceeds the Overallocation Factor, all axes are scaled down proportionally so the total stays within bounds.
Example with Overallocation Factor = 1.0:
If the cue system commands 100% pitch and 100% roll simultaneously, the total normalized demand is $1.0 + 1.0 = 2.0$. Since $2.0 > 1.0$ (the overallocation factor), DRSM scales both axes down to 50% each, so the total equals 1.0. This guarantees the actuators stay within their physical stroke.
Example with Overallocation Factor = 2.0:
The same 100% pitch + 100% roll command produces a total of 2.0, which equals the overallocation factor exactly — so no scaling occurs. Both axes reach their full commanded position. However, if a third axis adds demand (e.g., 50% heave), the total becomes 2.5, exceeding 2.0, and all three axes would be scaled down proportionally.
Choosing a Value
Section titled “Choosing a Value”| Factor | Behavior | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Conservative. Guarantees no actuator ever exceeds its stroke, even with all axes at maximum. Motion will be noticeably reduced during complex multi-axis movements. | Quad Post platforms where “tripoding” (one corner lifting off) must be prevented at all costs. |
| 1.5 | Moderate. Allows some multi-axis headroom while still protecting against extreme combinations. Good balance of range and safety. | Most general-purpose setups. |
| 2.0 (default for hexapods) | Aggressive. Allows full motion on two axes simultaneously. Only scales down when three or more axes demand their full range at once. Maximizes the usable travel of the platform. | Hexapod platforms with generous actuator stroke (e.g., 400mm+ travel). |
| >2.0 | Very aggressive. Allows the platform to use nearly full travel on most axis combinations. Risk of hitting actuator end-stops increases if motion profiles are not well-tuned. | Only for experienced users who have carefully tuned their profiles to avoid extreme multi-axis combinations. |
Why Overallocation Matters
Section titled “Why Overallocation Matters”- Quad Post platforms: An overallocation factor of 1.0 is critical because these platforms have four actuators on the same plane. If one actuator extends beyond its stroke while the others retract, the platform can “tripod” — one corner lifts off, causing instability and potential mechanical damage.
- Hexapod platforms: The six-actuator geometry is more forgiving because actuators approach their limits at different rates for different axis combinations. An overallocation factor of 1.5–2.0 typically provides the best balance of range and safety. Additionally, hexapod overallocation prevents actuators from potentially impacting the cockpit structure.
Overallocation Warnings
Section titled “Overallocation Warnings”When the overallocation limit is reached and motion is scaled down, it can be noticeable and may break immersion — the platform’s motion suddenly becomes softer or less responsive for a moment.
To monitor overallocation:
- Enable DEBUG log verbosity in the Settings tab.
- Watch the log for overallocation messages — these indicate which motion events triggered scaling.
- Optionally, enable the audio notification for overallocation in the Settings tab. This plays a short sound whenever the limit is hit, helping you identify problematic moments during gameplay.
Reducing Overallocation Events
Section titled “Reducing Overallocation Events”If overallocation warnings appear frequently:
- Reduce gains on the most active axes (typically heave, pitch, and roll) in the Primary Cue.
- Increase smoothing to prevent sharp multi-axis spikes.
- Lower travel limits so each axis uses a smaller portion of the available actuator stroke, leaving more headroom for combined movements.
- Increase the Overallocation Factor if your platform geometry can tolerate more aggressive actuator usage (hexapods can typically handle higher values than quad posts).
📌 Recommendation: Tune your motion profiles so overallocation warnings do not appear during normal gameplay. Occasional triggers during extreme events (crashes, harsh landings) are acceptable, but frequent overallocation indicates your gains or limits are too aggressive for your hardware.